Alarm for protecting permutation-locks.



A. B. COLBY. ALARM FOR PROTECTING PERMUTATION LOCKS. APPLICATION FILED APR.22, 1911. 1,102,571 Patented July 7, 1914.

3 SHBETSSHEET 1. 3

WI T IVESSES:

IIVI/EN TOR Wed/pm. Q .d ATTORNEY:

THE NORRIS PETERS CG. PHOTO-LITHOH WASHINGTON. D C

A. B. COLBY, ALARM FOR PROTECTING PBRMUTATION LOOKS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1911.

Patented My 7, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

l/WEN TOR WITNESSES:

THE NORRIS PETERS C0,. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. C

A. B. COLBY. ALARM FOR PROTECTING PERMUTATION LOCKS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1911.

1, 1 02,571 Patented July '7, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W! r l A T TORNE V THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALSON IB. COLBY, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR T10 ELECTRIC SECURITY COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF OREGON.

ALARM FOR PROTECTING PERMUTATION-LOCKS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALSO B. COLBY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Portland, county of Multnomah, State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Alarms for Protecting Permutation-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to combine with a permutation lock, of the type including a spindle, and parts thereon mounted capable of transposition and having to be arranged in concerted order before the lock can be opened, of means for giving an alarm when an attempt is made to open the lock by a person not knowing its combination; said means being operated by the improper rotation of the spindle of the lock.

Incidentally my invention has further for its object to so arrange the devices comprised within said alarm giving means that no alarm will be given when the lock is properly operated, in the process of opening the same.

My invention further has for its object to use electricity as the operating power of my alarm giving means, also to include within my invention the specific features hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing my means as applied to the spindle of a permutation lock of the door of a safe, the latter being shown partly in cross section and partly in broken outline; the door of the safe being represented as open so as to expose to View the inner face thereof, since the main parts of my device are mounted on the interiorly projecting end of the spindle of the look. This figure also shows an electric bell-ringing mechanism, which is supposed to be located some distance from the door, and electric connections between such bell-ringing mechanism and the devices on the spindle of the lock. To facilitate the reading of Fig. 1, it is to be noted that the armature bar of the magnet constitutes the circuit maker of the electric bell-circuit, and that said armature bar is adapted to be automatically operated by a coil spring so as to close the bell circuit, but is held open by the magnet while the latter is energized. This View further illustrates that my invention may be supplemented by supplemental alarm-giving means so arranged as to be operated by Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. April 22, 1911.

Patented July 7 1914.

Serial No. 622,830.

the opening of the door or window of the room in which the safe is contained; Fig. 2 is a perspective detail of the interior of the door, showing the case of the permutation lock, and the inner end of the spindle projecting beyond the case of the lock, on which spindle are mounted part of the devices by which the operation of my invention is controlled; said devices mounted on the spindle constituting a switch in the electric circuit of the magnet, said switch being normally closed and being automatically opened when the spindle of the lock is rotated in the wrong manner; Fig. 3 is a Vertical cross section of a particular type of case in which the electric alarm-bell and magnet referred to may be contained, as shown in Fig. 1; the case being so constructed and connected with the electric circuit of the operating parts that if an attempt is made to open the case the circuit of the electric bell will be closed and the alarm given; Fig. 4 is a partial elevation of the inner face of the safe door. showing the parts mounted on the inwardly projecting end of the spindle and parts cooperating therewith; and Fig. 5 is a sectional top view of the safe door, showing the disk mounted on the inner, projecting end of the spindle, said disk being formed with a peripheral spiral groove, and having formed on its inner side a concentric circular piece formed with peripheral notches or recesses.

In the description of the construction and operation of my invention, I will confine myself to one of the simplest types of permutation lock; for example, such in which the tumbler or tumblers are required to be set to only a single number on the dial of the safe.

On the inner face of the safe door, a, is affixed a box 6, which houses a permutation lock, of the type hereinafter described, and including a spindle c. On the inner end of the latter is rigidly mounted a cylindrical disk (Z, having formed on its periphery a spiral groove 6, and being made with an outwardly projecting circular piece f, the diameter of which is equal to that of the inner circle of the groove 6. The inner end of the groove 6 terminates in a radially disposed pocket 9, formed in the disk (Z, and the part, f, of the disk is provided with a plurality of similar recesses h. The part f is in fact a form of ratchet wheel of which MI I the arm is of the pivoted member j constitutes the pawl. A stud pin, 2', is secured to the door, a, above the box 6, and on this stud pin is pivoted a pawl lever j, made with a downwardly extending arm is, which is caused to bear on the periphery of the disk (Z by the action of the spring Z. In unlocking the safe, if the operation is properly performed, the arm is of the pawl-lever y constantly rides on the periphery of the disk (l, and the spring Z, diagonally suspended between the pawl-lever j and box I), (as shown in Fig. 5) and so arranged as to exert a pull in two directions, in so doing also having a tendency to pull said arm of the pawl-lever inward, that is, toward the face, a, of the safe door.

The tumblers of the permutation lock are all supposed to be set at the same number, so as to act as a unit; and the operation of opening the safe, when the combination is known, is therefore very simple. In the first instance, the safe is supposed to be locked and the arm is of the pawl-lever is located in the spiral groove 0 at a point indicated by the arrow n Fig. 2. Let it be supposed that the tumbler unit is adjusted to pick up at figure 50 of the dial (not shown) on the front of the safe door. To unlock the safe, the spindle 0, carrying the disk (Z, is rotated in the direction of the arrow as, causing the arm is of the pawl-lever 7' to slide in the peripheral groove, 6, of the disk (Z, and finally leaving the latter at its inner end 0, and it then rides on the periphery of the part f until the operator has rotated the spindle the required number of times to pick up the tumbler mechanism at said number 50.

Fig. 2 shows the spindle and disk stopped at said number, and it will be noticed that the arm of the pawl-lever rests on one of the peripheral surfaces p of the part f. When the operator then starts to revolve the spindle in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow at, the spring Z will draw the arm 70 back into said groove 0, in which the said arm then slides until it has returned to the point from which it started, or has dropped into the pocket g. See Fig. 2.

The disk (Z is adjustably secured to the spindle 0 by a set-screw 722, so that when desired to change the combination said setscrew may be loosened and the disk turned until the index line 9 of the disk registers with any other desired figure on the dial r. The latter is rigidly afiiXed on the spindle c, and numbered to correspond with the dial on the front of the safe door.

If any one not familiar with the combination of the lock attempts to open the same, an alarm will be sounded in the following manner: Supposing the trespasser starts to turn the spindle in the correct direction, as indicated by the arrow 00 and continues to turn the same until the arm 7.: of the pawllever has been forced out of the groove 0 at 0, and is riding on the notched periphery p of the part f of the disk (Z, but the 1-ota tion of the spindle is stopped at an im proper point, and that the motion of the spindle is then reversed, said arm Z: will ride on the periphery 7) until it reaches one of the pockets h, which it then enters, permitting the'pawl-lever to tilt and strike the bell.- crank s of the switch, which member .9 normally engages the clips, t, F, of the switch If, and the further rotation of the disk (Z will cause the arm 7c of the pawl-lever to enter deeper and deeper into the pocket It, and finally the pawl-lever pulls the member s of the switch If away from the clips, t, 25 and the circuit of the magnet 6 is interrupted, causing its armature 9 to be released and moved against the contact-pin 11 by the spring 10; and since the armature 9 is also a circuit maker in the circuit of the electric bell 12, the latter will be rung. The bellcrank member s of the switch 2% is insulated from the pawl-lever j by a piece of insulating material 8, and it is pivoted on a bracket a, secured to an insulating block a, fastened to the door The clips, t, F, of the switch z are mounted on a block '21, made of insulating material, which is secured on the safe door, a, by a bracket w. If, on the other hand, the trespasser starts to rotate the spindle in the right direction, indicated by the arrow a: in Fig. 2, but stops the spindle and starts to reverse its motion before the arm 70 of the pawl-lever has been moved out of the groove 0 and then continues such reverse rotation to such extent as to cause the arm 7c of the pawl-lever to pass beyond the initial. starting point 12, said arm is of the pawllever will drop into the pocket g, at the inner end of said spiral groove, and on entering such pocket the switch, t, is also opened, in the manner already described, and the alarm is sounded. Finally, if the trespasser revolves the spindle and the disk (Z in the first instance in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, the arm Z: will also be caused to drop into said pocket 9 and the alarm will be sounded. In the proper rotation of the spindle 0, when the disk (Z rotates in the direction of the arrow 00, and the arm 70 rides on the periphery of the part f of the disk, said arm, in crossing the pockets it, makes a slight dip into said pockets, which, however, is not suflicient to cause the pawl-lever j to pull the switch, t, open. From the ZIlJOXB it is understood how the switch, t, will be unconsciously opened and the electric bell set to ringing by any one tampering with the lock, not familiar with its combination.

I will now describe a convenient mode of electrical connections, by means of which my invention may be carried out in practice.

Referring to Fig. 1: 3 represents a section of a safe, the door, a, of which stands open. In the safe is placed a battery 2, from one pole of which extends a wire 4 to one of the clips t of the switch t. The current from the opposite pole of said battery runs through a wire 5 and electro-magnet 6 and returns through a wire 7 to the other clip of the switch 2,. In practice it is convenient to control the circuit thus described by a manually operated switch 8, normally closed, but which may be opened during oflice hours. As the armature 9 acts as a conductor for the. current of a different circuit, as will be described later, it must be insulated from the core of the magnet 6, as shown in Fig. 1.

As already mentioned, the instant the switch t is opened by the incorrect manipulation of the permutation lock of the safe, the magnet 6 becomes dormant and the spring 10 pulls the armature and circuit maker 9 against the adjustable contact pin 11, and in doing this the circuit between the electric bell 12 and the battery 13, in the safe 3, is closed. The current from one pole of said battery 13 runs through wire 14 to the bell mechanism 12,from which it returns through wire 15, armature l0, contact-pin l1 and wire 16, switch 17 (normally closed), wire 19, switch 20 (closed when the safe is closed), wire 18, back to the battery. The switch 17 is only to be opened in case the safe is to be left open for repair, or the like; and the switch 20 is supposed to be mounted on the spindle 21 of the bolt-throwing mechanism 22 of the safe, so that the act of throwing the -bolt, in closing the safe, also closes said switch 20.

The alarm bell, and the electro-magnet controlling the circuit of said bell, are preferably inclosed in a case 23, and said case located in a place where the sounding of the alarm bell is sure to attract attention. In order that said case may not be opened by a trespasser attempting to open the lock of the safe, it is preferably so constructed that any attempt at opening it will also cause the alarm bell to be placed in circuit with the battery. To this end the case 23 is made of electrically conductive material and is of the construction shown in Fig. 3. It comprises a cylindrical outer case 23, in which is placed a smaller concentric case 24, secured to, but electrically insulated from, said outer case by non-conductive blocks 25. Said blocks 25 are perforated and adapted to receive fastening screws 26, by means of which the case is aflixed to its support, and the inner case is retained in its proper relation to the outer case. A flanged cover 27 is secured to the case by means of screws 28, which engage threaded apertures in the flange 23 provided at the mouth of the outer case 23. Said cover 27 is provided with an inner plate 30, secured to the cover 27 by 1 a stud 31, but insulated therefrom by a non-' conducting sleeve 32. The inner case 24 and the inner cover 30 are electrically connected by a contact spring 33. Thus two cases are formed, one inside of the other, and

both, as shown in Fig. 1, are connected with the bell circuit in the following manner. From the inner case 24 extends a wire 35 to the alarm bell mechanism 12, from which extends the wire 14 to the battery 13. From the opposite pole of said battery extends the wire 18, through switch 20, Wire 19, switch 17, wire 37 and back to the outer case 23. If a trespasser attempts to open the alarm case, in order to disable the alarm bell, he will unconsciously close the circuit between the two members of the case and sound the alarm. If, on the other hand, the trespasser attempts to open the case by unscrewing the fastening screws 28, he will also close the circuit and sound an alarm, as the withdrawal of a screw causes a spring 37 normally held retracted by the screw, to project forward and form an electrical connection between the two cases. In Fig. 3 one screw, 28, is shown intact and restraining the contact spring 33; the other screw, 28 is shown partly withdrawn, and the released contact spring, 37*, is bearing on the inner case 24.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the safe is placed inside a building or room, 38, whereas the alarm case is mounted outside of the building in order that the sounding of the alarm may be more conspicuous.

To prevent a trespasser entering the building, I provide auxiliary safety means in con nection with the devices already described, and these safety means comprise a series of switches 40, 41, 42, placed in the alarm-bell circuit and mechanically connected with the windows or transoms of the building in such a manner that the attempted opening of a window sash or transom will cause one of said switches to close, thereby closing a circuit through the wire 15 alarm bell 12 wire 14 and battery 13 wire 18, switch 20 (closed when safe is closed) wire 19, switch 17 (normally closed) and either of wires (3, thus sounding an alarm.

A signal lamp, as 43, may also be pro vided, and controlled by a door lock switch, as at 44, in such a manner that if the trespasser attempts to open the door he will break the light circuit and extinguish the light, thus giving a visible sign that the building has been entered. The current required to energize said signal light may be supplied from an outside light circuit, in which case it enters the safe through a wire 45 and passes through a switch 46, controlled by the bolt on the safe, and a wire 47 to the lamp 43, from which it returns through a wire 48 and back to its source of energy.

It will be noticed that there are two separate and distinct circuits, aside from the last mentioned lamp circuit, namely, an open bell circuit and a closed lock circuit; the latter itself, when opened, closes the bell circuit and sounds the alarm. The said bell circuit may also be closed in other ways, as through the normally insulated safe walls, or by opening a window, etc. Thus, to render my system inoperative it would be necessary to out certain wires and short circuit certain other wires.

I claim:

1. The combination with a permutation lock including a rotatable spindle of an alarm mechanism including a pivoted member, located adjacent the lock spindle, by the tilting of which pivoted member the alarm mechanism is placed in action; means carried by the lock spindle adapted to tilt said pivoted member of the alarm mechanism when the lock spindle is rotated otherwise than as required for opening the lock; and said means including a circular piece, mounted on said spindle, provided with peripheral notches, and said pivoted member having a portion bearing upon the periphery of said circular piece.

2. The combination with a permutation lock including a rotatable spindle of an alarm mechanism including a pivoted member, located adjacent the lock spindle, by th tilting of which pivoted member the alarm mechanism is placed in action; means carried by the lock spindle adapted to tilt said pivoted member of the alarm mechanism when the lock spindle is rotated otherwise than as required for opening the lock; and said means including a circular piece, mounted on said spindle, provided with peripheral ratchet teeth, and said pivoted member having a portion bearing upon the periphery of said circular piece.

3. The combination with a permutation lock including a rotatable spindle of an electric alarm mechanism including a springcontrolled pivoted switch member, located adjacent the lock spindle, by the tilting of which pivoted member the alarm mechanism is placed in action; and a circular piece, mounted on said spindle, provided with peripheral ratchet teeth, and said pivoted member having a portion bearing upon the periphery of said circular piece.

4:. The combination with a permutation lock including a rotatable spindle of an alarm mechanism including a pivoted member, located adjacent the lock spindle, by the tilting of which pivoted member the alarm mechanism is placed in action; of a circular disk, mounted on said spindle, provided with a spiral peripheral groove, and a pocket at the inner end of such groove; a circular piece at the outer side of such disk, arranged concentric with the latter, the diameter of said circular piece being equal to the inner circle of said groove, and said circular piece being made with peripheral notches; said pivoted member of the alarm mechanism being made with an arm adapted to ride on the periphery of said circular disk and said circular piece; a spring controlling said pivoted member of the alarm mechanism, whereby the arm thereof is held against the periphery of said circular disk and of said circular piece; and the parts being arranged to cause the arm of the pivoted member to enter said notches when the lock spindle is rotated otherwise than as required for opening the lock.

5. The combination with a permutation lock including a rotatable spindle of an alarm mechanism including a pivoted member, located adjacent the lock spindle, by the tilting of which pivoted member the alarm mechanism is placed in action; of a circular disk, mounted on said spindle, provided with a spiral peripheral groove, and a pocket at the inner end of such groove; a circular piece at the outer side of such disk, arranged concentric with the latter, the diameter of said circular piece being equal to the inner circle of said groove, and said circular piece bein made with peripheral notches; said pivote member of the alarm mechanism being made with an arm adapted to ride on the periphery of said circular disk and said circular piece; a spring controlling said pivoted member of the alarm mechanism, whereby the arm thereof is held against the periphery of said circular disk and of said circular piece; said pivoted member being laterally movable on its pivot, and said spring also arranged to draw said pivoted member inward, whereby the arm of said pivoted member is caused to enter the outer end of said peripheral groove of said circular disk.

ALSON B. COLBY.

W'itnesses:

CECIL LONG, W. LEWIS Coor.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. O. 

